STATE SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS REGARDING GUN LAWSUIT
The state Supreme Court has heard arguments stemming from a lawsuit filed by a gun group and gun shop. The two assert that State Police have failed to adequately manage a background check system and that's resulted in impeded firearms sales. In the lawsuit, Firearms Owners Against Crime and Landmark Firearms assert tha...
May 17, 2024
STATE BUSINESS GROUPS ASK FOR EXTENSION ON FEDERAL OVERTIME RULE
State business groups concerned about a looming deadline to comply with a new federal overtime rule are asking for an extension. The rule that's set to take effect July 1st raises the threshold for determining when salaried employees are due overtime pay and also expands the number of workers eligible for it. The coali...
May 17, 2024
THIS SUNDAY ON WESTMORELAND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
May is Stroke Awareness Month. Listen Sunday to an interview with Dr. Cathleen Adams, a neurologist with Independence Health System, with important information you need to know to recognize a stroke. Join us on Westmoreland Community Connections hosted by Jennifer Miele this Sunday at 7 AM and 11 PM on Classic Hits 107...
May 17, 2024
MONROEVILLE SAM'S CLUB ASSAULT SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
A suspect who is accused of punching an elderly man outside a Sam's Club in Monroeville last year is now in custody. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Terrel Byars has been arrested on a bench warrant after being found hiding at a home on Wymore Street in Pittsburgh. Byars was charged with aggravat...
May 17, 2024
FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS HONORED AT ST. CLAIR PARK MEMORIAL SERVICE
Local officials and community members are honoring the sacrifices of Westmoreland County police officers who have died in the line of duty. The county District Attorney's Office hosted a law enforcement memorial service at Saint Clair Park in Greensburg yesterday. Around 100 people were in attendance as the 28 police o...
May 17, 2024
PITTSBURGH RIVER HOUNDS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR NEW SPORTS COMPLEX IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club is announcing plans for a new sports complex in Westmoreland County. The facility is going on a 42-acre property on Public Works Drive, off of Route 30 on the west side of North Huntingdon Township. Renderings show three outdoor fields plus a 93-thousand-square-foot indoor space s...
May 17, 2024
TWO CHARGED AFTER VANDERGRIFT DRUG RAID
Two people from Vandegrift are facing charges after borough police and Westmoreland County detectives conducted a drug raid on their home. The Trib reports that 26-year-old Kaeona Booker and 54-year-old Eugene Iagnemma were arrested after the raid early Thursday morning. Several items related to drug activity were seiz...
May 17, 2024
MAWC APPROVES $3 MILLION SPEND ON WATER TANK AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
The municipal authority of Westmoreland County has approved spending nearly $3 million on repainting and repairing water tanks, and replacing 17 trucks and work vans in its fleet of vehicles. The Trib reports that a nearly 3 million gallon tank in Mt. Pleasant Township and another 500,000 gallon tank in Hempfield will ...
May 17, 2024
2024 REGISTER OF WILLS REVENUE NOT TURNED OVER TO COUNTY YET
Revenue that was generated by the county's register of wills office for the first four months of this year has not been turned over to the county yet. The Trib reports that as much as $500,000 generated through fees and other payments made to Westmoreland's Register of Wills Office during the first four months of 2024 ...
May 17, 2024
PA PRISON SOCIETY REPORT STATES "ABYSMAL" FOOD
A new report by the PA Prison Society says state inmates are undernourished and their food is quoted as being "abysmal." The Patriot News says the organization conducted a survey and say it found that 80 percent of male inmates say they're going hungry every day. The report says the state spends about nine-do...
May 16, 2024
STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT JEANNETTE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
Officials are taking steps to improve security at Jeannette Junior/Senior High School. Earlier this week, school directors approved a contract with Safe Haven Defense to install some forced entry resistant film to doors and windows at the property. The cost of the project is 38-thousand dollars but 30-thousand of it is...
May 16, 2024
DERRY BOROUGH MOURNS LOSS OF BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Derry Borough is mourning the loss of the president of borough council. The Trib reports that 57-year-old Al Checca died unexpectedly on Sunday at UPMC Presbyterian, where he had been in recovery for a brain aneurysm that triggered his involvement in a vehicle accident in the borough. He was elected to his third term o...
May 16, 2024
HEMPFIELD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT HIRES SUPERINTENDENT
Hempfield School District has hired its next superintendent. The Trib reports that the school board approved hiring Mark Holtzman, the current superintendent at Beaver School District at a meeting this week. He will start his five-year contract on July 1st and will be paid an annual salary of $208,000 along with a $200...
May 16, 2024
WESTMORELAND CITY POST OFFICE REOPENS
The Westmoreland City Post Office reopened yesterday, nine days after an SUV plowed into one of the walls of the building. The Trib reports that postal customers were asked to use the post office in Manor after the crash on May 6th. The crash left behind a gaping hole that exposed insulation and wood framing with brick...
May 16, 2024
LAWSUIT ACCUSES DELMONT MCDONALDS OWNERS
A lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County Court accuses the owners of the Delmont-area McDonalds of not adequately investigating the criminal background of a manager that was charged by police of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old employee. The Trib reports that the lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 15-year-old girl who wa...
May 16, 2024
TWO FLOWN TO HOSPITAL AFTER ROUTE 380 CRASH
Two people were flown to the hospital after a crash on Route 380 in Murrysville. The Trib reports that one vehicle was pulling out from the Auction Barn when another vehicle going west on 380 collided with it at 10:45 AM. The road was closed in both directions until 3:30 PM. Both drivers had serious injuries.
May 16, 2024
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO GIVING MORE EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO STATE EMPLOYEES
Governor Josh Shapiro is giving more employment benefits to people who work for the state. He signed an executive order Tuesday that will expanded childcare services and sick leave for physical and mental health issues. The idea also provides financial incentives for the state to hire people who speak foreign languag...
May 15, 2024
WHITE HOUSE ISSUES NEW POLLUTION RULES AFFECTING COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS
The White House has issued new rules that crack down on pollution that will affect power-plants in Pennsylvania. Opponents say they could force many of the country's coal plants to shut down unless they undertake costly upgrades. While the administration says the schedule for the new rules would give companies time to ...
May 15, 2024
WESTMORELAND COUNTY LOOKING AT A FEW OPTIONS TO PAY FOR REGISTER OF WILLS CONSERVATOR
Westmoreland County is looking at a few options to pay for the conservator that will oversee the Register of Wills office. The Trib reports that it was suggested by County Controller Jeffrey Balzer that a county policy that holds elected row officers liable for financial payouts to resolve legal actions related to the...
May 15, 2024
LOWER BURRELL MAN ACCUSED OF DISRUPTING CHURCH SERVICES
A Westmoreland County man has been arrested and is accused of disrupting several church services in the Pittsburgh region. KDKA-TV reports that Joseph Gorencic, Jr. of Lower Burrell is accused of disrupting several services, including a service at the St. Sebastian Church on April 22nd in Ross Township. He allegedly ...
May 15, 2024
ONE PERSON INJURED IN LOWER BURRELL CRASH
One person was hurt in a head-on crash yesterday morning in Lower Burrell. The Trib reports that the crash happened around 6 AM at the intersection with Greensburg Road and Dutchman Run Road. One person was flown from the scene to an area hospital for treatment. Additional details on the condition of the victim or t...
May 15, 2024
WORK UNDERWAY FOR ARNOLD PALMER REGIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION
Work is underway to prepare sites for expansion at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The Trib reports that a former airplane hanger will be torn down near the end of the month, and is part of the setup for work on a new terminal Site preparation where the Latrobe Airline Services hangar now sits will be ongoing through...
May 15, 2024
MULTIPLE CHARGES FILED AGAINST GREENSBURG MAN FOR TWIN LAKES INCIDENTS
Westmoreland County Park Police have found the man who has been walking in the nude around Twin Lakes Park. The Trib reports that the suspect, 61-year-old Daniel Horrell of Greensburg, showed up at the police station on Donohoe Road wearing a ball cap, socks and sneakers. Horrell told police he had disrobed that day ...
May 15, 2024
LATROBE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES UPGRADES
Latrobe city council has approved a proposal to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment at city hall and lighting at the municipal garage and solid waste transfer station. The Trib reports that Tudi Mechanical Systems will make the installations for nine new air handlers starting next fall, but the...
May 15, 2024
WALLETHUB ANALYSIS HIGHLIGHTS POTENTIAL NEED TO CUT PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE
An analysis released last month by financial website Wallethub highlights the potential need to cut the state's personal income tax rate. Data focused on comparative tax burdens among states and found, overall, Pennsylvania ranked 25th in tax burden. But among three categories, property, sales and income taxes, the com...
May 14, 2024
PA HOUSE VOTES DOWN TWO GUN SAFETY BILLS
The Pennsylvania House has voted down a pair of bills on gun safety. One would have banned machine gun conversion devices; another aimed to curb gun trafficking. Both measures failed by a 101-100 vote. Democratic state representative Frank Burns of Cambria joined every Republican in opposing each measure.
May 14, 2024
PA LAWMAKERS BEGIN FILING THEIR GIFT REPORTS TO STATE
Lawmakers who have received gifts from outside interests have begun filing their reports to the state. They show trips to political conferences and other events bankrolled by campaign groups, organizations pushing alternatives to public education and other organizations. Spotlight PA reports lawmakers went to Arizona o...
May 14, 2024
MORE INFORMATION RELEASED ABOUT ARNOLD STABBING
More information has been released concerning a stabbing in Arnold. The Trib reports that 45-year-old Sheron Brown now faces charges of aggravated assault and simple assault in connection with the stabbing Saturday Night in the 1200 block of Victoria Avenue. At the scene, officers found a man bleeding from his upper ar...
May 14, 2024
DEFENSE LAWYERS SAY MAN ACCUSED OF MOGIE'S IRISH PUB SHOOTING IS NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL
Laywers for the man accused of shooting a pub owner in Lower Burrell claims that his client is not competent to stand trial. KDKA-TV reports that Nathan Salem is accused of killing David "Mogie" Magill, the owner of Mogie's Irish Pub back on December 21st. Charges of criminal homicide were held for trial in F...
May 14, 2024
WESTMORELAND COUNTY SET TO RECEIVE $300 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS
Westmoreland County is set to receive $300 million in road, transit and bridge improvement funds. The Trib reports that one project that could receive some of that funding is the West Newton Bridge project. The metal truss bridge carries over 6000 vehicles a day on Route 136 across the Youghiogheny River, and was decla...
May 14, 2024
GREENSBURG ATTORNEY ASKED TO OVERSEE REGISTER OF WILLS OFFICE
A Greensburg attorney has been asked to oversee the Register of Wills office. The Trib reports that James Antoniono will take over operations as temporary conservator of the office on May 28th. In the order signed by Judge Harry Smail, Jr. that the current Register of Wills, Sherry Hamilton "has forfeited her role...
May 14, 2024
PA TO RECEIVE MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT FROM CELL PHONE COMPANIES
Pennsylvania will receive more than a quarter of a million dollars as part of a settlement from cell phone companies. Prosecutors say they used deceptive claims of "free" phones and "unlimited" plans in their marketing campaigns and didn't disclose attached fees and agreements. The settlement involv...
May 13, 2024
SENATOR CASEY INTRODUCES BILL TO BAN WATER BEADS
Senator Bob Casey says he's introduced a bi-partisan bill to ban water beads. The bill is named "Esther's Law" for a ten-month-old Wisconsin girl who died after swallowing one. The small, colorful balls can be sold as toys and in craft kits and can grow up to 100 times their original size when exposed to wate...
May 13, 2024
PENN TOWNSHIP COMMISSIONERS TO DECIDE ON PROPOSAL THAT COULD OFFER TAX BREAKS TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
Commissioners in Penn Township are deciding on a proposal this week that could offer tax breaks to more volunteer firefighters. Local officials are expected make a decision on a measure that would extend earned income tax credits and real estate tax discounts to residents who volunteer with the fire service in the neig...
May 13, 2024
JEANNETTE COMMUNITY BAND TO PERFORM AT AMERICAN LEGION ON MAY 26TH
The Jeannette Community Band is launching their 36th season with a performance at the American Legion post on South Fifth Street on Memorial Day weekend. The free concert is planned for the evening of Sunday, May 26th. Over 60 musicians are volunteering to play together at various events in the area through mid-Decembe...
May 13, 2024
GUN FOUND IN DONEGAL LAKE
A gun that was recovered by dive teams in Donegal Lake last Friday is believed to be the gun used to kill a Westmoreland County woman last year. KDKA-TV reports that the Murrysville Medic One dive team recovered the gun on Friday, and the Westmoreland County DA's office believes it was used to kill 71-year-old Alice Ro...
May 13, 2024
BRIDGE DEDICATION CEREMONY IN LIGONIER
Officials were in Ligonier Valley Cemetery for a special bridge dedication ceremony on Saturday. The Trib reports that state officials were on hand to dedicate the nearby bridge on Route 711 over Loyalhanna Creek as the Staff Sgt. Alvin P. Carey and Pvt. John C. Ewing Medal of Honor Memorial Bridge. The two are congres...
May 13, 2024
WOMAN GIVES BIRTH AT HEMPFIELD RESTAURANT
A Mother's day dinner on Saturday turned out to be very eventful as a woman gave birth at a restaurant in Hempfield. The Trib reports that four people and an emergency dispatcher were on hand to help Lydnsey Platt deliver her second child, Leila Marie at the New City Buffet along Route 30. She had arrived with her husb...
May 13, 2024
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING NEW KENSINGTON STABBING
Authorities are investigating a Saturday night stabbing in New Kensington. The incident happened at around 11 p.m. at a location on Victoria Street. Responding officers found a victim who had been stabbed in the arm. One person was taken into custody though no charges were announced.
May 13, 2024
TORNADO TOUCHES DOWN IN FINLEYVILLE
While strong storms continued to hit the area on Saturday, no tornadoes touched down in Westmoreland County. The Trib reports that the national weather service did confirm that an EF2 tornado touched down shortly after 6:00 PM in nearby Finleyville in Washington County. A nearby church was damaged while services were i...
May 13, 2024
$2.6 MILLION CASH 5 TICKET SOLD IN MURRYSVILLE
A lottery ticket sold recently in Murrysville has hit for a jackpot of 2.6 million dollars. The Pennsylvania Lottery reports the Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket was sold at the Shop'n Save on William Penn Highway and matched all five numbers pulled in Wednesday's drawing. The winner has one year to collect their prize.
May 10, 2024
ONLINE AUCTION FOR FORMER GREENSBURG STATE PRISON
Folks wanting to own a piece of the big house have an opportunity right now to get their hands on any of more than 6-hundred items from the former Greensburg State Prison. SCI Greensburg closed in 2013 and among the items available now through an online auction are window bars, sink / toilet combinations, security unif...
May 10, 2024
JEANNETTE NONPROFITS CAN BEGIN SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDING
An effort to improve the city of Jeannette is getting underway next week. Beginning on Monday, nonprofits in the community can begin submitting applications for grant funding through the Jeannette Initiative. Organizations can get payments of up to one-thousand dollars to support cultural events, physical improvements ...
May 10, 2024
THIS SUNDAY ON WESTMORELAND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: THE MYASTHENIA GRAVIS ASSOCIATION
The Myasthenia Gravis Association is holding its annual golf outing to raise funds for research on this rare neuromuscular disorder. Find out more Sunday on Westmoreland Community Connections as our host Jennifer Miele will interview Jim Joyce, the executive director of the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Penn...
May 10, 2024
BURRELL SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Officials in the Burrell School District have announced a public hearing on the potential closure of one of the district's elementary schools. The Trib reports that the school in question is Stewart Elementary. Officials say that the building is outdated and enrollment at that school continues to decline. Stewart is th...
May 10, 2024
NORTH HUNTINGDON MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE
A North Huntingdon man was charged with rape. The Trib reports that 47-year--old Shon Harrity was arrested on Wednesday. He is accused of sexually assaulting a girl over a two year span. Court documents said the allegations were reported to investigators this week by a family member of the accuser. He was being held at...
May 10, 2024
PITTSBURGH MAN CHARGED WITH THEFTS FROM MULTIPLE LOWE'S STORES
A Pittsburgh man was arrested on Thursday and charged in connection with thefts from Lowe's stores in Westmoreland, Butler and Allegheny Counties. The Trib reports that 38-year-old Jesus Serna-Real of Knoxville is charged with several thefts including one on February 22nd where he provided a fraudulent credit card numb...
May 10, 2024
SEWICKLEY WOMAN CONVICTED OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE
A Sewickley woman was convicted of vehicular homicide and 16 other crimes connected with a fatal head-on crash in March of 2022. The Trib reports that 44-year-old Ahna Malik now faces up to 48 years in prison for her role in the head-on crash on Arona Road that killed Dawn Coyne of Madison. Prosecutors said that Malik ...
May 10, 2024
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO ANNOUNCES STATE GRANT TO HELP FUND NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK IN BOVARD
Governor Shapiro announced a state grant to help fund a new industrial park in Westmoreland County. The Trib reports the governor visited the former Keystone Coal and Coke property in Hempfield Township yesterday to speak about the 2-point-five-million-dollar investment that is on the way through the PA SITES program. ...
May 10, 2024
PA POLITICAL PARTIES CLOSER IN NUMBER THAN THEY'VE BEEN IN MORE THAN TEN YEARS
New numbers from the Pennsylvania Department of State show registered Republicans are closing in on registered Democrats in the Keystone State. Bucknell University Professor Chris Ellis says the political parties are now closer in number than they've been in more than ten years. Democrats currently outnumber Republican...
May 09, 2024